Research finds symptoms of autism also affect siblings of those diagnosed with the condition

Studies from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that siblings of children who have been diagnosed with autism show traits that are similar to those of individuals who suffer from the condition, but in a milder form.

Researchers say that siblings of children who have autism show mild symptoms of the disease that are typically not substantial enough for a full diagnosis. Furthermore, almost one in five siblings in the study did not experience language delays or speech problems early in their lives.

Research shows that female siblings had slight traits of the condition, and some developed autism spectrum disorders, such as Asperger Syndrome or Pervasive Development Disorder. Therapeutic boarding schools help children who struggle from the symptoms of autism and can offer the individualized treatment that traditional schools cannot.

Experts say that three boys are diagnosed with autism for every two girls affected by the condition. However, one researcher suggests that boys who have the disorder outnumber their female counterparts, which might mean that some girls are simply being overlooked.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 13 percent of children have a developmental disability, including speech and language impairments as well as autism.